Rubén Moreira, coordinator of the PRI in the Chamber of Representatives, proposed on Tuesday, October 3, that the “Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe” (December 12th) be considered an official holiday.
The legislator shared an initiative that seeks to modify Article 74 of the Federal Labor Law, to establish that December 12 is, in addition to December 1 and 25, the days of rest that correspond to the last month of the year.
According to the proposal, in spite of the fact that this date is important in the family, work and school dynamics of people, it is not considered in the laws.
Despite the fact that some employers do provide the day to their employees.
The arguments they provided for this proposal were that they indicated that December 12 is a date of religious and cultural importance, but also economic.
Hence the relevance of including it in the nation’s labor regulations.
“It is important to recognize December 12 as a date of religious and cultural importance; but, in addition, it is a day that provides society with a sense of belonging, identity and at the same time of importance for the labor sector and an element of economic spillover for micro and medium-sized companies.”
He insisted that this day is identified as one of the eight significant festivities for the country, in addition to the Day of the Dead, the Guelaguetza, the Battle of Puebla, Three Kings Day, the Cry of Independence, the San Marcos Fair and the Veracruz Carnival.
“December 12 is recognized as one of the most important celebrations of Mexican culture, on this date is worshipped by visiting the Basilica of Guadalupe, the mañanitas are sung to her in the early hours of the morning, millions of national and international pilgrims. flock to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.”
“In the rest of the Mexican Republic, people go to religious temples with flowers and candles to worship the Virgin of Guadalupe, several people from the artistic world perform a concert that is televised, families put altars in their homes and masses are held throughout the country.”
He pointed out that after the coronavirus pandemic, the celebration was affected, since in 2020, there was no celebration due to the closing of the Basilica of Guadalupe and in 2021, the capacity was limited.
The initiative recalls that in 2022, when the end of the pandemic was decreed, the church indicated that there was a historical record of affluence.
Authorities of CDMX from the end of November until December 12, 2022 contemplated the arrival of at least 10 million people to the Basilica of Guadalupe.
Which left an economic revenue of 225 million pesos, 7.2% of what was registered in 2021.
🙏🏽¿Qué opinan de esta iniciativa? @rubenmoreiravdz presentó una iniciativa que plantea establecer el 12 de diciembre de cada año como ‘Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe’ y que este sea con descanso obligatorio, a través de la reforma al artículo 74 de la Ley Federal del Trabajo… pic.twitter.com/lXs8FatQT7
— Laura Brugés (@LauraBruges) October 3, 2023
“This celebration mobilizes religious tourism that represents millions of national and international visitors every year, benefiting the Commerce, Services and Tourism sector throughout the Country. Last year the Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce, Services and Tourism estimated an economic spillover of more than 14 billion pesos nationwide.”
Finally, he emphasized that retail trade was the most benefited, especially with the sale of religious articles and souvenirs, as well as lodging, food, beverages and transportation.
TYT Newsroom